Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Atlanta, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Median annual salary $44,590 -14.9% vs national
Median hourly $21.44
10th percentile $38,350
90th percentile $100,650
Employed locally 890
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Atlanta, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,350
    25th
    $39,980
    50th (median)
    $44,590
    75th
    $62,000
    90th
    $100,650

    Atlanta economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,338 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 52% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 48% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $74,720
    Michigan $49,700
    Gainesville, FL $48,870
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $47,860
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $47,550
    Savannah, GA $46,500

    Related occupations in Atlanta, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,220
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,990
    Firefighters$47,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$80,960
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$65,320
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$48,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Atlanta?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Atlanta, GA is $21.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.18 or more per hour.

    Is Atlanta above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Atlanta, GA is 14.9% below the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Atlanta?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $38,350 per year in Atlanta, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,980.